Phase II Water Shortage and Springs Protection Awareness Month Proclamation @ SRWMD 2026-03-10

There is nothing on the SRWMD Board agenda about Water First North Florida (WFNF) for 9 AM this Tuesday, March 10, 2026. But there are several items related to that scheme to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin.

If you can, please do go to the SRWMD meeting and speak. Don’t forget these other meetings:

Crafting Effective Public Comments @ Live Oak Library –WWALS Workshop 2026-03-18, 5-6:30 PM
https://wwals.net/?p=69575
WFNF Public Meeting by SRWMD at its Live Oak HQ 2026-03-19, 6-8 PM
https://wwals.net/?p=69504

Phase II Water Shortage, Springs Protection Awareness & Water Conservation Month Proclamation @ SRWMD 2026-03-10

The SRWMD agenda for tomorrow has a Public Hearing about declaring a Phase II Severe Water Shortage. That declaration is watered down, with few actual requirements. Although not as much as the Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage already declared by SJRWMD, which appears to eliminate all mandatory water restrictions.

Also on the SRWMD agenda, perhaps ironically, are

a “Water Conservation Month Proclamation” and
a “Springs Protection Awareness Month Proclamation”.

And of course the monthly SRWMD Hydrologic Conditions Report, which will detail how bad the drought is.

Plus you never know what will be presented in “WATER RESOURCES, Amy Brown, Deputy Executive Director, 9. Water Resources Division Updates.”

Map: Rainfall, 2026-02-18 –SJRWMD

Over at the principal cause of the lower flows and levels in the Suwannee River Basin, overpumping by Jacksonville in “Public Supply”, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) already did this, March 3, 2026, District declares Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage for portions of northeast and central Florida.

The “Modified” appears to mean SRJWMD eliminated all mandatory water use restrictions.

Under a Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage, all water users are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and conserve water to the maximum extent possible. Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited. Water users are also encouraged to proactively plan for extended dry conditions, and the potential for additional mandatory restrictions should the water shortage advance to a more severe phase.

No definition is included of “wasteful and unnecessary.”

SRWMD also does not seem entirely serious:

Additional Measures:
(6) Landscape irrigation uses.
(b) Golf Courses
1. Treated wastewater irrigation shall not be restricted.

Sure, there are further clauses that recommend reducing or suspending “to the greatest extent possible”, i.e., at the discretion of the golf course.

The only items under Manadtory[sic] Restrictions: are

(1) Landscape irrigation uses.
(a) Established lawns and landscaping.
…
(2) Miscellaneous uses.

There are no mandatory restrictions on agriculture, mining, cement, chicken processing, or water bottling.

Pages 11-18 (WR 1-9)

MEMORANDUM
TO: Governing Board
FROM: Hugh Thomas, Executive Director
Date: March 10, 2026
RE: Public Hearing for Approval of Order Number 26-002, Phase II Water Shortage
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct a public hearing and approve Order Number 26-002, Phase II Water Shortage.
BACKGROUND
The District is observing drier than average conditions for surface conditions, groundwater, and surface water Districtwide. On January 13, 2026, the Board adopted Water Shortage Advisory Order Number 26-001 based on ongoing drought conditions within the District boundary.
District staff have continued monitoring the hydrologic conditions around the District and have determined that a drought-ending storm event from early spring and into summer is unlikely based on current climatology. Therefore, it is likely that the current drought conditions will persist and possibly intensify. Monitoring indicates that flows throughout the District are all below average (less than the 25th percentile) for this time of year. Additionally, monitoring indicates that the Aucilla, New, Santa Fe, Suwannee, and Withlacoochee rivers have at least one gage with daily flows at or below the 10th percentile. Districtwide mean Upper Floridan aquifer level remains around the 20th percentile.
To date, the 2026 rainfall amount for the District has been well below average and the rainfall prediction from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center for the next three-months (March – May 2026) calls for equal chances of above, near, or below normal rainfall. As of February 22, 2026, fourteen District counties had an average rainfall deficit of approximately 16.1 inches based on records beginning in 1932. As of February 19, 2026, the U. S. Drought Monitor for Florida identifies all District counties within the Extreme Drought (D3) category.
Based on the ongoing deficit in rainfall and below average aquifer conditions the District is recommending a progression to a Phase II water shortage. The combination of restrictions listed in 40B-21 and other appropriate and necessary restrictions are appended to the order in the Phase II Water Shortage Restrictions March 2026 attachment. This will expand recommended voluntary measures and implement regulatory measures focused on limiting the frequency of landscape irrigation and discretionary aesthetic uses. Regulatory measures include authorization of the Executive Director to initiate enforcement and administrative penalties as outlined in the order and delegates to the Executive Director authority modify or rescind the order until the next regularly scheduled Governing Board meeting.
The District is encouraging all users to plan proactively for the possibility of an extended drought with the potential for additional regulatory measures, especially focused on reducing water use from less efficient systems and processes. Drought conditions in neighboring water management districts are equally intense and have prompted Southwest Water Management District and the St Johns River Water Management District to issue Water Shortage Orders for their District.
The issuance of a Phase II water shortage order would apply to all counties within the District and unincorporated portions of Alachua and Levy counties, consistent with existing memoranda of understanding with neighboring Districts.
Because of the aforementioned factors, staff recommends that the Governing Board approve Order Number 26-002, Phase II Water Shortage.
RLM/ak
Attachment

That memo is followed by the four-page Order and four pages of PHASE II WATER SHORTAGE RESTRICTIONS.

Pages 92-93 (OPS 5-6)

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Governing Board
FROM: Troy Roberts, Office Chief, Communications and Outreach
THRU: Katelyn Potter, Division Director, Outreach and Operations
DATE: February 12, 2026
RE: Springs Protection Awareness Month Proclamation
RECOMMENDATION
Proclaim April 2026 as Springs Protection Awareness Month.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, the Florida Legislature has adopted resolutions recognizing the importance of Florida’s springs and natural resources by declaring the month of April as Springs Protection Awareness Month.
The District contains more than 450 documented springs, including the highest concentration of freshwater springs in Florida, and the highest concentration of first-magnitude springs in the United States. The District is defined by world-renowned springs, including 14 of the 30 Outstanding Florida Springs as identified by the Legislature.
Springs provide habitat for wildlife and plant species, as well as natural, recreational, and economic value. Recreational use of springs supports ecotourism in the region providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, diving, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. The estimated total economic benefits associated with recreational use (due to direct spending, supply chain activity, and income re-spending) support over 1,000 full and part-time jobs and generates $9.4 million annually in economic output1 . These international resources are a major priority for the District.
Increasing public awareness of the District’s ongoing work to protect springs is a key part of accomplishing the District’s mission.
TER/ao
Attachment

Proclamation

Suwannee River Water Management District
Live Oak, Florida
WHEREAS, Florida’s springs are essential to the environment, economy, and citizens of, and visitors to, this state, and
WHEREAS, Florida has one of the most productive aquifers in the world, which supports more than 1,000 natural springs, giving this state the world’s highest concentration of springs, and
WHEREAS, the Suwannee River Water Management District has the highest concentration of springs in the United States, and
WHEREAS, Florida’s springs discharge more than eight billion gallons of water each day, which is essential for sustaining spring runs and associated receiving water bodies, and
WHEREAS, the Suwannee River Water Management District has the highest concentration of first magnitude springs in Florida, and
WHEREAS, Suwannee River Water Management District has 14 Outstanding Florida Springs, and
WHEREAS, groundwater in the Suwannee River Water Management District is the primary source for public, agricultural, business and industrial use and vital to Florida’s economy, and
WHEREAS, springs are a natural resource that must be protected, as they reflect groundwater conditions and provide an important habitat for wildlife and listed species, and
WHEREAS, springs provide important recreation resources and opportunities that are enjoyed by citizens and visitors alike.
NOW THEREFORE, the Governing Board of the Suwannee River Water Management District hereby proclaims April 2026 as Springs Protection Awareness Month, and all levels of government are encouraged to support springs protection, restoration, and preservation awareness.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 10th DAY OF MARCH 2026, A.D.
SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
BY ITS GOVERNING BOARD
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
VIRGINIA JOHNS, CHAIR
RICHARD SCHWAB, VICE-CHAIR
CHARLES KEITH, SECRETARY/TREASURER
WILLIAM LLOYD
LARRY SESSIONS
HARRY SMITH
LARRY THOMPSON
GEORGE WHEELER

ATTEST:

-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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Proclamation

Maps

AG-2026-03-10

AG-2026-03-10

Minutes-2026-02-10

Public Hearing for Approval of Order Number 26-002, Phase II Water Shortage

WCMP

SPAMP

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